‘Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Increase College Affordability and the Rate of Degree Completion’

‘Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Task Force To Increase College Affordability and the Rate of Degree Completion, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 16 members appointed as follows:

1. Three members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

2. Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

3. The President of the Maine Community College System or the president’s designee;

4. The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee;

5. The President of the Maine Maritime Academy or the president's designee;

6. Three members chosen by the President of the Senate from nominees supplied by the Maine Independent Colleges Association;

7. Two members from organizations with experience administering student loans, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one by the Speaker of the House; and

8. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall meet 5 times. The task force shall study issues associated with college affordability and degree completion and develop a 10-year statewide economic and policy strategy. The methods the task force shall consider include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. A scholarship at the University of Maine for the 2nd year of attendance provided to students who agree to work in the State for a certain period of time following graduation;

2. Tuition guarantees that ensure that students will pay the same tuition for 2 or 4 years while attending one of the State’s institutions of higher education; and

3. Simplifying and transitioning from the provision of tax credits for higher education to the greater provision of state grants and other forms of financial aid for higher education; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 31, 2015, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters may submit a bill related to this report to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.’